The Latin American international investment and insurance marketplace is one of the fastest-growing in the world, with the demand for protection of assets amid volatile political and economic backdrops as necessary in 2020 as it ever was.
Across the Latin American region, the need for both products and advice is on the rise.
The inaugural International Investment Latin America Forum will look at where the industry is heading, the challenges and opportunities for the industry in the region, and how advisers, brokers and product providers are adapting to political and regulatory changes.The event will take place on Tuesday, 6th June , Miami.

The inaugural International Investment London Forum will look at where the industry is heading, the challenges and opportunities for the industry in the region, and how advisers, brokers and product providers are adapting to political and regulatory changes.The event will take place on Thursday, 30th April at the South Place Hotel, London.

The 21st International Investment Awards will take place on 8th October 2020, at One Whitehall Place, London. The II Awards are the longest-running event of their kind and last year saw a record number of categories and entries.

SDB was founded in Lugano in 2008 by Alfredo Serica and operates as a Swiss independent asset management company, member of the OAD-FCT (the self-regulatory body of the registered fiduciary of the Ticino Canton, Switzerland), and registered as authorised fund distributor by Finma. As at end May 2017, SDB had AuM of CHF490m (€451m) and tallied four employees.

It is understood SDB’s valuation has been based on a multiple of the 2016 pro-forma net profit, which will involve a restructuring process to be completed by the vendors by end 2017.

Customary price adjustments depending on the reaching of certain milestones over the long term will be added to a fixed price.

The transaction, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to occur in January 2018.

Both the managers and SDB’s general manager, Gianluca Noce, have also agreed to work together to grow the business in Switzerland over the medium-long term.

AZ Swiss makes there its second acquisition. The firm has achieved total AuM of CHF 2bn (€1.9bn) since it has been authorised, in January 2016, by Swiss financial market watchdog Finma to operate according to the Swiss Collective Investment Schemes Act (CISA).

The 19-strong team of AZ Swiss manages 14 Ucits funds and one alternative fund as well as discretionary portfolios for around 90 clients with average AuM between CHF5m and CHF10m.

Sergio Albarelli, CEO of Azimut Holding, commented: “One year ago we announced that our strategy in Switzerland rested on (i) building a local production to manage mutual funds and discretionary portfolios, (ii) creating a distribution arm to advise qualified investors (HNW and institutional clients) and (iii) consolidating independent asset managers and private bankers in Switzerland to grow our independent wealth management platform.”

Alfredo Serica, founder of SDB, added: “We are keen to bring our services to the next level joining forces with AZ Swiss & Partners. Our long-term commitment, focus on performance, high standards of services to our clients will remain unchanged.”